5 Things I Wish I KNEW Before Turning Pro in Overseas Basketball [ROOKIE MISTAKES]

[@jamieward1796]

This video was very helpful 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Happy to help, bro.

[@michaelagbonkpolor4069]

Thanks for this !!

Yessir. Happy to help.

[@palitoooooo]

I was shooting for Spain when does season start and specifically try outs I’d really like some help most likely aiming for LEB plata! Thank you so much your videos are hella informative appreciate it!

The season is going on right now! Spain follows the standard European season from approx. Sept - April. Usually teams' busiest periods will be: Off-season Mid-way break (December - Jan.) Promotion/relegation push (Feb. - April).

[@palitoooooo]

@ so when would a rookie want to go over and try out?

[@palitoooooo]

@ during summertime I’m guessing right

[@twrld13]

Definitely found this video helpful doing my best to research teams in the LPB and PROLIGA in Portugal….have you played in that area?

The only place in Europe I've played is Germany. But I've heard great things from other players about their experiences playing in Portugal. Multiple divisions in Portugal = multiple opportunities!

[@pinedar21]

Depends on what you define as being a pro. In Europe any division lower than the second - sometimes third - isn't considered to be pro, but semi-pro. If you're paid to play semi-pro consider yourself extremely lucky. The absolute best players(usually one) in a semi-pro 4th-5th-6th division team make 250-300€ a month. In Latin America basketball isn't played much so it makes the sense that your wage is minimal. When you're in the first division in a league in Latin America and there's 300-400 people watching your games that paid a ticket that's $5 and you have one match every week that's about $6000-$8000 that the team makes every month. They have bills to pay and 10-14 players to pay too. Can't be expecting your wage to be more than $600-$700 tops. Now in Europe, most teams that are in their domestic league's first division, pay a rookie about 2000€ a month, which originally might not seem like a lot but when you're in a Balkan or Baltic country for example, it's more than enough to live comfortably until you climb the ranks. Basketball in Latin America might be "professional", but it's nothing like actual professional basketball. Like you said, unless you're in Brazil or Argentina, basketball in Latin America is semi-pro rather than pro.

Thanks for the thoughtful comment. In LATAM many of the leagues actually play 3-4 times per week. As well, not all the locals are getting paid - some are getting very minimal salaries. That's how they're able to pay the imports higher wages. I've come to realize that unless you are in the Top Divisions (First) of Europe then it will be tough-going financially. Europe has traditionally always been the dream for players since it has the best level of basketball (outside North America). But nowadays there are many more options available to players.

[@ishadu1]

What are your thoughts about the new BAL (Basketball Africa League)? How would you compare the quality and skill level to other leagues you have played in? Thanks for the great content.

Great league from what a lot of my former teammates have told me. The competition is definitely high-level with many Americans (NCAA talent) playing under African passports. With the NBA backing it and J.Cole bringing a ton of attention to it, I would expect for it to grow in the future.

[@ishadu1]

@ awesome thanks for the information 🙏

[@5luelight726]

Is pay based on skill and what you bring to a team, or do first year guys who are very good still not make much?

Yes, it’s based on a variety of factors such as skill, nationality, playing experience, team urgency, team need and many more. Some first-year players make great money! But usually those are NCAA guys with great resumes from high to mid majors programs. The rest will generally have to climb the ladder.

[@lanekillen1]

What if we’re making about $400/mo, and they give housing, and we have a spouse also making money?

I'm not sure what you're asking. Are you asking is it possible to survive like that?

[@lanekillen1]

@ yes sir

[@biggiecheese5495]

did they give u a car and home?

Yes.

[@biggiecheese5495]

@ what about meals?

@@biggiecheese5495 Yes. Everything paid for always. That's the key to how you can really save and make a good living/experience while playing overseas. That, and a side hustle during your spare time.

[@mcmerry2846]

It's better than my country at least lool...not even pro-league.

What's the country?

[@francoisedwards2223]

How gud were u

What's the tape tell you?

[@francoisedwards2223]

@ u weren't that gud thats wat it told me

@@francoisedwards2223 The pros should be a cake walk for you then.

[@francoisedwards2223]

@ tbh it won't be Im 25 n not in the best of shape rn I'm not fat jus under weight Im 6'2 at 160 pounds

[@antzsh]

@@francoisedwards2223 thinking about going to El Salvador and playing pro after hs from the highlights I’ve seen these guys look ass